Device for use in timing ignition systems



July 8, 1952 G. B. TIPPETT DEVICE FOR USE IN TIMING IGNITION SYSTEMSFiled June 19, 1950 Patented July 8', 1.952

nEvIoEFOR USE 1N TIMING IGNITION l SYSTEMS George `fyilspett, St. Louis,Mo. Application June V19, 1950, sei-iai No; 169,013

' (C1. vs -11s) The present invention relates to a novel device for usein the timing .of an ignition System, Darticularly the ignition system.of aninternal combuston engine.

As is well known, one of the most important requisites for `eflicientland smooth enginer performance is that the ignitionsystem be so timedthat the spark plug of each cylinder will re at the end of thecompressionstroke.

As every automobile mechanic knows, this isa tedious operation andrequires considerable skill, particularly .after an engine has beendismantled for repairs, and has thereafter been reassembled.

The distributor controls theiiring ofthe spark plugs, as is understood,andthe mechanic here- .tofore would simultaneously manipulate thedistributor, and attempt. to determine V'by hearing which adjustmentthereof produced the best engine performance. j

That is to say, prior to my invention, the mechanic, had to relyentirely-upon h isskill and sense of hearingin the timingoperation,andhad no denite assurancethat'the nal adjustment decided upon by; himwas lthe'bes't one obtainable.

Theprimary object of the present invention is to providefor the mechanica device whereby he 'can' quickly andunerringly .determine -the propersetting of the distributor. f

"A 'iurther Objectis lto provide a device which additionally will?indicate" to .the mechanic whether' or not tihe distributor itself is inneedv of repair; whether or"not the vignition ,coil is functioningproperly; whethe'rpr not the condenser should be repaired Lor replaced;and whether or not the v valves [need attention, all as will appearhereinafter:

' In performing the timing operation, the present device 'is substitutedfor .any one of the spark i plugs, it being common knowledge that if'one plug lires at the proper time, the remainder of them'will also,because of crankshaft design, and

so on.V

The device includes a removable adapter provided with a threaded portioncorresponding to the' lower threaded portions of certain spark plugs.

That is to say, the device' ",ad'aptedfor ,use in ignition .timing ofany knowninternalcombustion" engine, including airplane engines.Obviously however, therev aredifferences in the size of vspark plugs',so y that the inventions contemplates the use of `adaptersv'wherelzgy"it can beemployed in the timing o fevery Itype .of internalycombustionengine. 'A d A The" principal feature 'er' the "invention the2 v provision of means whereby the mechanic Vcan quickly determine theend .of the compression stroke, and can thus yquickly adjust thedistributor, regardless of the pressure developed by the piston.'` Y

That is to say, even though the pressure built up rin the combustion.chamber on -the upstroke of the piston may vary in each engine to whichthe invention is applied, nevertheless the Adevice will visibly indicateto the mechanic just when the piston reaches its uppermost point Yoftravel.

A more comprehensive understanding of the construction and objectives ofthe invention may be had from the detailed description to follow, andreference to the accompanying drawing which portrays a preferredembodiment. thereof.

In saiddrawing:

Fig. ly is a top plan. view of the device comprising the presentinvention; v

Fig. 2 is ay from-elevational view thereof; v

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionalview thereof -taleen on line 4 4 in Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View line 5 5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6--5 in Fig. 3;

Fig, '7 is a fragmentary partially sectional View portraying theinvention 4in use.

With particular reference to 'Fi-gs. i through 4 of the drawing, numerall0-indicates generally the device per se, numeral i2 indicatesYgeneral-k ly a removable adapter associated therewith.

The assembly I includes a tubular member, generally designated bynumeral I-ll, comprising a lower section I6, anfintermediate section I8lof taken on reduced diameter relative to sectionv 116, and an uppersectionv 2o of reduced diameter rela-tive to section I8. v Said lowersection L6 has formed ltherein a longitudinal passage or bore 24,terminating at its lower vend in an '.enlarged, `internally threadedcounterbore 26, the latter being provided lfor a purpose to appear.

In fluid communication at its lower end Vwith passage 24, is alongitudinal passage orV .bore 28 which extends through boththefintermedate and upperfseotions, IB and 2li respectively, `ofthemember M. The dia-meter of .passagewayl :is larger than that of.passageway 24, wherebythere is provided an annular .shoulder 3B whichnoix-L mally serves as aseatfforayertically s'lidahle`- ton or plungermember Sllaslshcwninlig e;

' The intermediate sectionjlf .has formedtherein an elongatedvertical'slo't lill,` through and beyond which projects a pin 36 rigidwith the piston member 32.

The upper section terminates in an externally threaded portion 38adapted to receive a cap member 4U, which as shown, is internallythreaded at 42.

Numeral 46 designates an adjustable screw, a segment of which is inengagement with the said threaded portion of the cap member 4B. A kerfis provided in 'the upper extremity of said screw for the reception of asuitable tool, and the lower extremity thereof terminates in an annularhead or spring abutment 50i, which is slidable in bore 28 as shown.

Interposed in bore 28 between the bottom face of said head and the topface of piston 32, is a compression spring 52, which normally maintainsthe lower end of said piston in engagement with its seat 30, asportrayed in Fig. 4.

The successive reductions in the external diameter of member I4 resultin the formation of a rst annular shoulder portion 54, and a secondlsimilar shoulder portion 56.

` Pressiitted on section I8 with its lower surface in engagement withshoulder 54, is a block of insulative material designated 58; invertically spaced relation thereto, and presstted on section 20 with itslower surface in engagement with shoulder 56 is a similar blockdesignated by numeral 6U.

Supported by said blocks in laterally spaced relation relative to, butin alinement with pin 36 and slot 34, is a rod 62. Integrally formedwith the upper end of said rod, or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, isa laterally projecting plug member 64.

As the drawing clearly portrays, the terminal configuration of said plugis preferably similar to that ofthe upper extremity of a conventionalspark plug. Preferably also, but not necessarily, the projectingextremity 68 of pin 36 is pointed as shown.

*The device thus far described, provides for the mechanic a lightweightand compactly designed instrument adapted to visibly demonstrate theinformation required by him for a -superlative timing adjustment, aswill appear.

There are some variations in the design of modern spark plugs, as isunderstood. That is to say, the diameters of the lower threadedextremities of spark plugs incorporated in,`for example, -a 1 940engine, may vary from their counterparts in, let us say, a 1950 engine,and so To this end, the aforesaid adapter I2 is provided. It includes abody portion 69, an integral polygonal portion 10, an upwardlyprojecting externally threaded extension 12, a depending externallythreaded extension 14, and a longitudinal passageway or bore 16.Manifestly, each adapter is identical in every respect with theexception of the external diameter of depending portion 14.

Before entering into a description of the manner in which the device isemployed, attention is directed to Fig. '1 which more or lessschematically exhibits a fragmentary portion of an internal combustionengine E. Shown are piston P reciprocable in cylinder C, connecting rodR, distributor D, wires W normally leading from the distributor to thespark plugs, socket S on the free end of each wire normally adapted toengage the upper extremity of a spark plug, an internally threadedaperture A normally adapted to receive the depending threaded portion ofa spark plug, and valve'V.

In use, the device is positioned as in Fig. 7. That is to say, aselected spark plug having been removed, and a proper adapter I2 havingbeen inserted in member I4, the composite assembly Ill-I2 is substitutedfor the spark plug. Thereupon, socket S of the lead W for said plug issnapped into place onto member 64, whereupon the engine is started.

Aspiston P rises on the compression stroke, plunger 3271s also caused torise against the force exerted by spring 52.

It is noted at this time, that preferably, said spring is compressedsufficiently only to seat the plunger 32, and that therefore, theadjustment screw 46 is provided primarily to compensate for reducedresiliency of said spring following repeated use of the device, as isunderstood.

It is also noted however, that when the device is to be employed in thetiming of a motor having a relatively high compression potential, forexample an aircraft motor, screw 46 should first be rotated to increasethe resistance of spring 42, so that the pressure developed will notcause the pin 36 to strike against the upper end of slot 34.

It is further noted that except for the blocks 58v and 60, the compositedevice IIJ- I2 is of metallic material; that the insulated position ofrod 62 relative to pin 36 provides a spark gap indicated by numeral 18in Figs. 3, 4, and 5; and that a spark flash across said gap will bevisible at intervals when the engine is running. In other words, thedevice I0 functions like a spark plug, but the spark is visible. y

After a few revolutionsof the crankshaft, the mechanic can quicklydetermine'the exact moment at which the compression stroke ends byobserving the reciprocal movements of pin 36. In other words, said pinattains its highest elevation at that time. The object now, is to alsoVhave the spark occur at that very moment. The mechanic quicklymanipulates the distributor in the usual manner until `the flashcoincides with the end of the compression stroke.

y Thus thel primary object of the invention is easily attained. And, aspreviously explained, it is not necessary to apply the device to morethan one cylinder in order to attain thisr objective. In actual tests,it has been found that use of the device will reduce the time ordinarilyrequired for kan ignition timing operation, as much as eighty per cent.In addition, particularly when employed by a skilled mechanic, theinvention is adapted to eliminate faulty timing.

As also previously indicated, the device I0 may be utilized to obtainotherV information. For example, should the spark uctuate rapidly, thisindicates that the distributor shaft is Worn.

Again, should the spark fluctuate unevenly, this indicates a defective'valve V. A defective coil will be indicated by sparks olf the rod 62,and a defective condenser by sparks off the pin 36.

In view of the foregoing, it should be manifest that the presentinvention provides a comparatively simple device for facilitating ahitherto difcult operation.

'I'he precise details of construction illustrated and describedobviously admit of modifications without departing Vfrom the principlesof the 'invention. Therefore, the invention is to be limite only by theclaims which follow.

What I claim is: Y' A Y, y

l. In a device for use'in timing the ignition system of( an internalcombustion engine: a

tubular member provided with a longitudinal passageway of small diameterin its lower portion and a longitudinal passageway of larger diameter inits upper portion, said passageways being concentric and in iluidcommunication with one another; an annular shoulder formed at thejuncture of said passageways; means in the form of a removable hollowadapter for mounting said member in a threaded spark plug opening ofsaid engine; a piston reciprocable in said last-named passageway; acompression spring for normally seating one end portion of said pistonagainst the annular shoulder aforesaid; means for selectively increasingand decreasing the force of said spring; an elongated slot in the upperportion of the tubular member; a pin rigidly secured to said piston atone end with its opposite free end portion projecting through and beyondsaid slot; a rod supported in alignment with said slot and said pin, andslightly spaced from the free extremity of the latter, by means ofspaced blocks of insulation mounted on said tubular member, the relationof Said rod to said pin forming a spark gap therebetween; and a plugmember integral with said rod, for engagement with a socket member onthe free end of a spark plug Wire.

2. In a device of the character described: means for visibly indicatingthe spark moment during the compression stroke of a piston incorporatedin an internal combustion engine; said means including a piston slidablymounted in a tubular member provided with a longitudinal cylindricalpassageway therethrough; an annular shoulder formed in said passageway,a compression spring for normally biasing said piston into engagementwith said shoulder, means mounted on the tubular member for regulatingthe force of said spring, an elongated slot in the tubular member, a pinrigidly secured at one end to said piston and projecting through andbeyond said slot, a conductor rod supported in spaced relation to theprojectingend of said pin to provide a spark gap, said rod beinginsulated from the tubular member; and a plug integral with said rodadapted to engage a socket on the free end of a wire leading from thedistributor of said engine.

3. A device of the character and for the purposes described, said deviceincluding: a tubular member; means removably secured to the lower endthereof for mounting said member in the threaded spark plug opening ofan internal combustion engine; a longitudinal passageway through saidtubular member including a lower section of small diameter and an uppersection of larger diameter; an annular shoulder formed by theintersection of said sections; a piston slidable in said upper section;a compression spring interposed between an abutment member and the upperend of said piston for normally maintaining the latter in engagementwith said shoulder; an elongated slot formed in the tubular member; apin rigid at one end with said piston and projecting through and beyondsaid slot, the projecting portion of said pin terminating in a point; arod in alignment with said slot and pin and in spaced relation theretofor providing a spark gap between the rod and the point of said pin;means in the form of blocks of insulation mounted on the tubular memberfor supporting said rod in position; and a plug rigid with one end ofsaid rod for engaging the socket on the free end of a spark plug wire.

GEORGE B. TIPPETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,655,615 Kreisel Jan. 10, 19282,011,264 Wagner Aug. 13, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country DateV670,443 Germany Jan. 18, y1939

